Five people taken to hospital after crash

Traffic in Hometown was backed up around 2:15 p.m. Saturday as emergency responders were on the scene of a two-vehicle accident that occurred at the intersection of Lincoln Drive and Claremont Avenue (SR309). Reportedly, Mercita Dietrich, McAdoo, driving a1998 Buick Century, was traveling south when she impacted a Nissan Altima driven by Kenneth Stoddard, Drums, after he pulled out in front of her while drivng out from Lincoln Avenue. A child was also in the Buick with Dietrich. Two passengers were in the Nissan. Their names were Patrica Stoddard, Drums, and Thelma Carr, Freeland. All were taken to a hospital via ambulance, except Stoddard, who was flown to a hospital via PennStar. Responding were township police, Hometown Fire Company and Tamaqua Rescue Squad. Ryan Township and Lehighton ambulances also responded. The hospitals and status of the affected people and child were unknown as of press time today. Hometown Fire Police detoured traffic around the scene.